George and I will be celebrating our twentieth wedding anniversary in July.  I remember our first date (a blind date); I spent a long time primping and carefully selected an outfit. Just as with that first date, when selling your home we only have one opportunity to make a great first impression. 

I provide my clients a complimentary home staging consultation – staging does not need to involve spending money.  Often rearranging furniture and decluttering can work wonders.  Some homeowners decide not to stage, perhaps they don't need to squeeze every last dollar out of their selling price.  Buy most Los Angeles home sellers are hoping to sell for the highest possible price. 

According to Christine Rae, co-author of “Home Staging for Dummies” :   

"FACT: 91 percent of people look at houses on the Internet first before contacting a real estate professional or house seller.

FACT: 91.3 percent of people surveyed by RISMedia said they believe staging to be a powerful tool when selling a property.

FACT: Buyers are busy, smart and circumspect; we know the majority base a decision to review property on location and price points; then after reviewing photos decide if the listing goes on their short list of 10.

FACT: More than 75 percent of those 91 percent will drive by the property BEFORE contacting an agent to view and half of them will do it after dark.

FACT: Drive by starts on the Internet."

Read the remainder of Christine’s article